Pages

Monday, July 8, 2013

Coconut Oil - 9 Beauty Benefits

Source: naturepacific.com

You may have heard me mention Coconut Oil previously on my blog and know that I'm a huge fan. Coconut Oil is one of those amazing natural products that can just do so many things. There are websites out there that list hundreds of benefits of coconut oil but today I thought I'd tell you the 9 things I love and use Coconut Oil for.

1. Eye Makeup Remover

In the warmer summer months the coconut oil is liquid but when it's colder it hardens. In winter I just run the jar under the hot tap till it melts a little, pour some onto a cotton pad, swipe a couple of times over my eyes and my makeup disappears. It really is the best eye makeup remover I've tried.

2. Pre Cleanse or Cleansing Oil

Following on from that, it's also perfect to use as a pre-cleanse or to remove your face makeup as well. Again I just melt a little, pour into my hand and massage over my face. Slowly I add a little warm water into it and keep masssaging and then just rinse it off with a warm face cloth. If you have a drier skin type you could probably just leave this as is but oilier types would follow this up with a cleanser.

3. Face Moisturiser

Just like rosehip oil it's wonderfully hydrating and it keeps the skin's connective tissue strong, which prevents sagging and wrinkles. I use this often as a night treatment.

4. Mouth Rinsing (Oil Pulling)

Now bear with me here because first off this is gonna sound crazy! Oilpulling is an ancient Ayurveda process, that helps the body in its healing process. You don't have to specifically use coconut oil for this but basically what you do is put a tablespoon of melted oil in your mouth and swish it around for 20minutes. I do this when I get up in the morning (not everyday - i'm lazy) and swish it around my mouth while I'm in the shower. It does take a bit to get used to the feeling but you soon adjust. The benefits of oil pulling are numerous but basically it works by pulling all the bacteria out of your teeth and gums which improves dental health but also works as a detox by ridding your body of toxins. I know you're skeptical I was too - but after 3 days of doing this my teeth were noticeably whiter - this alone was enough motivation for me to keep doing it. If you're interested in this head over to www.oilpulling.com and read all about it. It's fascinating.

5. Face Mask

Mix a couple of tablespoons of coconut oil with a couple of tablespoons of honey - sit back and relax for 10 minutes - rinse off and bake in the glow :)

6. Smoothies

Coconut oil is also renowned for boosting metabolism, aiding in weight loss, helping to stop sugar cravings, supporting immunity, helping to control diabetes, easing digestion... the list goes on. I like to add a tablespoon to my smoothies, the best part is it tastes absolutely delicious. I also use it for cooking but hey we're getting a little off topic :)

7. Body Moisturiser

Applied after a warm shower the oil soaks straight into your skin and makes you feel like you've died and gone to heaven. Amazing!

8. Shaving Oil

I love to pour some of this onto my skin in the shower to shave my legs. The shaver glides over my legs and leaves them shiny and hydrated. No need to moisturize when I get out of the shower too so I'm saving time.

9. Hair Oil

A tiny smidgen of this onto your hands and then smoothed onto your hair will give you shiny locks in an instant. Can also be used as a hair treatment.

So there are 9 things that I do with Coconut oil but there are so many more. The benefits really are amazing and you have to try it to see it. There are many brands of coconut oil out there and I don't have a preference for any - just make sure it is virgin unrefined cold pressed coconut oil and you're away laughing. I pick mine up from my local health food store but I believe that some Coles and Woolies stores are now stocking it so keep an eye out there.

Are you a fan of Coconut Oil? Did you know there were so many amazing uses for it?

6 comments:

Wow. What a versitile oil. A friend of mine swears by this as a hair mask. She puts it on her hair, and sleeps with a towel on her pillow overnight. In the morning she washes her hair and it's lovely and soft. I've seen coconut oil in the international food section at Woolworths. Will have to pick some up next time I'm there.

I've never tried oilpulling or shaving/makeup removal with it, despite coming from a place that swears by coconuts and coconut oil. I try the hair mask, too - once a week, overnight on scalp and hair, and then shower. Makes my hair fabulous and the split ends have diminished without trimming.My Beauty Junction

I think you're the second person I've seen boast about Coconut Oil and the amazing things it does. Nikki Phillippi on YouTube said something about it. I think they have it at Trader Joe's....and you gave so many good reasons to use it!!Thanks for all of the tips. COconut Oil is such a versatile product. It definitely is worth it!